The Yankees have nearly finalized a deal with Ichiro Suzuki, and general manager Brian Cashman has said he needs a right-handed hitter to bring some balance to his all-lefty outfield. But Cashman also confirmed to the New York Post that the Yankees remain in talks with left-handed Raul Ibanez.

Citing the new CBA, which restricts openly discussing free agent negotiations, Cashman told George King that he wouldn’t talk about potential right-handed options. But Cashman did say that that Yankees “are talking to Raul Ibanez and his agent.”

Ibanez would, in theory, step into the regular DH role against right-handed pitching. However, he would require a platoon partner even more significantly than the current group of outfielders.